Tragedy struck Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district when a state-run bus plummeted 100 feet off a treacherous road in Sarkaghat, claiming eight lives, including four women, and injuring 21 others. The horrific accident, which unfolded at Tarangla near Maseran, left the community reeling as rescue teams battled steep terrain to save victims.

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, carrying 29 passengers, including the driver and conductor, was en route from Sarkaghat to Durgapur when it veered off the road. Five passengers were pronounced dead at Civil Hospital Sarkaghat, two at Government Medical College Nerchowk, and one at AIIMS Bilaspur. Seventeen survivors are receiving treatment at major hospitals, while four remain at Civil Hospital Sarkaghat.

Local residents raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from Mandi police and ambulance teams. Mandi SP Sakshi Verma, who oversaw the rescue at the scene, said the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Amid the chaos, a heart-wrenching story emerged: an injured woman pleaded for her bag containing Rs 1.5 lakh in cash, which a rescuer retrieved and returned to her.

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Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who manages the transport portfolio, visited the injured at AIIMS Bilaspur, offering support. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow, directing the Mandi administration to provide ex-gratia payments to the families of the deceased and ensure top-notch care for the injured. “I pray for peace for the departed and strength for their families,” Sukhu said.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, representing Mandi, also shared her grief on social media, echoing prayers for the victims and their loved ones. As the investigation unfolds, this devastating crash has cast a shadow over Himachal, raising urgent questions about road safety in the region’s rugged terrain.

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